The next second, as if to prove his words true.
Three enormous Helicarriers suddenly blazed with dazzling light.
Deep blue beams shot from specific nodes on each carrier, converging precisely in midair.
Hummm-!
An eerie hum resounded across the sky.
The beams connected, instantly tracing the outline of an enormous magic circle spanning several kilometers.
Intricate runes flowed and flickered, radiating an oppressive force that set hearts pounding.
The magic circle rapidly took shape like an enormous cage, enclosing Hermione, who hovered in midair, at its exact center.
Almost at the same moment the magic circle formed.
Space warped slightly on the decks of the three Helicarriers.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Figures appeared out of thin air without a sound.
There were more than a dozen of them, all dressed in matching dark wizard robes, their hoods concealing most of their faces.
They stood scattered apart, yet their positions subtly coordinated with one another. The fluctuations of magical power they gave off connected, making it clear they were well trained.
"Wh... what are those?!"
Inside the command vehicle on the ground, a technician pointed at the screen at the sight of those signature outfits, now famous worldwide, his voice cracking.
"Not just one... more than a dozen?!"
"Wizards... are they all wizards?!"
None of them had ever seen so many wizards before. For a moment, everyone stood rooted to the spot in terror.
Fury's face was ashen. He stared at the motionless figures in wizard robes on the screen, then at Hermione trapped in the center of the magic circle, and his heart sank.
The lead wizard's body transformed into a roiling cloud of black vapor, slowly taking shape high in the sky.
The black vapor dispersed, revealing a young man.
He wore wizard robes distinctly different from the others', far